The first time I heard the term “the cringe factor,” I was sitting in a plush chair in a massive theater room in Robert Allen’s house.
I was there for a mastermind with several other coaches and business experts. I didn’t know exactly what would happen that day, but I had a strong feeling something important was about to shift for me.
Years earlier, I’d interviewed Bob on my radio show about one of my favorite wealth-building books that he authored, The One Minute Millionaire.
So I was excited to show him my business funnel and receive feedback.
Then he asked a simple question:
“What area of your business do you resist the most?”
My whole body shrank. I knew the answer, and it made me cringe.
I resisted asking people to support my launches.
When I looked deeper, I discovered the reason behind it.
I didn’t want to bother people. I didn’t want to seem like a taker.
Here’s the funny part. I had zero problem supporting other people.
If someone asked me to promote them, I was happy to help.
If a partner wanted exposure to my audience, great.
If my team reached out to someone on my behalf, fine.
But me asking directly? Ewwww!
That inner game block was stopping me from reaching more people in a leveraged way.
I was limiting my own growth.
Two Things That Helped Me Break the Cringe
- I chose a goal bigger than the fear
Instead of trying to eliminate the fear first, I chose a goal so compelling that staying stuck became unacceptable. I chose to ask 50 people to support me.
The goal mattered more than my discomfort.
When your vision is strong enough, your brain stops obsessing about embarrassment and starts focusing on results.
Then I added something that always helps me move forward:
I made it fun. (Fear hates fun, so it ran away.)
When something feels playful or like a challenge, your nerves calm down, and your courage increases.
- I changed the meaning of asking
Originally, I saw asking for support as an intrusion.
But when I flipped perspectives, it opened my eyes.
People ask me for support all the time.
Am I annoyed?
No.
I’m often thrilled to help someone whose work I believe in.
And let’s be honest…
When I unexpectedly receive a commission check or a prize for promoting someone, I’m even happier.
Then another realization hit me.
If someone in their audience buys one of my programs and transforms their life…
I’m not bothering their community.
I’m serving it.
Once that shift clicked, I stopped hesitating.
I started asking every aligned partner I could think of.
People I knew or admired.
Soon it became a game.
“Who else could I invite to collaborate?”
I got on a roll!
During one of my launches, more than 100 partners promoted the program.
I went from cringing…
… to having a big, fat smile on my face.
Your Turn
Every entrepreneur has a cringe factor.
The thing you avoid, even though you know it could move your business forward.
Maybe it’s:
-
- Visibility
- Following up with prospects
- Raising your fees
- Inviting people to work with you
- Reaching out to collaborators
The cringe itself isn’t the real problem.
The real problem is letting it stay in charge of your business.
Take a moment and ask yourself:
What’s the thing in your business that makes you cringe?
How is avoiding it limiting the people you could help?
What bigger goal would make facing it worth it?
Who could support you once you move through it?
And the most important question:
Are you willing to do the uncomfortable thing so you can step into the role of a powerful CEO?
Because on the other side of the cringe…
Is almost always your next level.